Order of George I

The Royal Order of George I (Greek: Βασιλικόν Τάγμα Γεωργίου Α') is a Greek order instituted by King Constantine I in 1915.[1] Since the monarchy's abolition in 1973, it has been considered a dynastic order of the former Greek royal family.

Royal Order of George I
Βασιλικόν Τάγμα Γεωργίου Α'
Star of the Grand Cross of the Order of George I (civil division)
TypeDynastic order
Established16 January 1915
Royal houseHouse of Glücksburg
(Greek royal family)
MottoΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ (THE LOVE OF MY PEOPLE IS MY STRENGTH)
Awarded fordistinguished services to Greece
SovereignKing Constantine II
GradesKnight Grand Cross
Knight Grand Commander
Knight Commander
Knight Officer
Knight
Statistics
First induction1915 King Constantine I of Greece
Last induction2008 Prince Phillipos of Greece and Denmark
Precedence
Next (higher)Royal Order of Saints George and Constantine
Royal Order of Saints Olga and Sophia
Next (lower)Royal Order of the Phoenix
Badge of a Commander of the order

History

The order was founded in 1915 by King Constantine I in honor of his father, George I. It was only the second Greek order to be created after the Order of the Redeemer in 1833, and remained the second senior award of the Greek state for the duration of its existence. The order was closely associated with the Greek monarchy, and was hence abolished with the establishment of the Second Hellenic Republic in 1924, to be replaced with the Order of the Phoenix. The order was restored along with the monarchy in 1935, and continued to be awarded until the final abolition of the monarchy in 1973. It was replaced by the Third Hellenic Republic in 1975 by the Order of Honour.

Grades

The Order has five classes:

  • Grand Cross - wears the badge of the Order on a sash on the right shoulder, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Grand Commander - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet, and the star of the Order on the left chest;
  • Commander - wears the badge of the Order on a necklet;
  • Gold Cross - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest;
  • Silver Cross - wears the badge on a ribbon on the left chest.

A sixth, supreme class comprising a Collar of the order was originally envisaged, but never realized.

As the Order was restricted to officers and senior state officials, an additional Commemorative Medal of the Order of George I (Αναμνηστικόν μετάλλιον του Τάγματος Γεωργίου Α') was instituted in 1915 for NCOs and common soldiers, junior officials and ordinary citizens. It had initially two classes, silver and bronze, with a third in gold added after 1935.

Ribbon bars
Grand Cross
Grand Commander
Commander
Gold Cross or Officer
Silver Cross or Member

Insignia

The badge of the Order is a white-enamelled Latin cross pattée, in silver for the Silver Cross class, in gold for the higher classes, with a wreath of laurels between the arms of the cross. The obverse central disc was in red enamel, bearing the royal cypher of George I, two crossed gammas with a crown above and a "I" below, surrounded by a white enamel ring bearing the royal motto ΙΣΧΥΣ ΜΟΥ Η ΑΓΑΠΗ ΤΟΥ ΛΑΟΥ ("The Love of My People is My Strength"). The reverse central disc bears the years of George I's reign, 1863-1913. The badge is topped by a crown; the military division also had crossed swords behind the badge. The Commemorative Medal's badge is identical in design, except that the cross is not enameled.[1]

The star of the order is a silver star with straight rays, with eight points for Grand Cross and four points for Grand Commander, and with the obverse of the badge superimposed upon it.[1]

The ribbon of the Order is plain crimson red.[1]

References
  1. "Greek Royal Orders" (PDF). Official website of the Greek royal family. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
  • Greece: Royal Order of George I, at Medals of the World
  • George J. Beldecos, "Hellenic Orders, Decorations and Medals", pub. Hellenic War Museum, Athens 1991, ISBN 960-85054-0-2.
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